Nunavut Day History

Nunavut Day is a holiday that celebrates the signing of the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement and the birth of a new Canadian territory. On July 9, 1993, the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement was signed, giving the title to nearly 350,000sq. Km of land to the Inuit people. The agreement contained 41 articles, some of the more pertinent which gave equal Inuit representation in government, the rights to harvesting wildlife through the territory and nearly 1 billion dollars of payments over the course of 14 years.

Finally, on April 1, 1999, the Nunavut Act and the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement came into effect and the new Inuit territory of Nunavut was created. Every year on July 9th, Canada celebrates the birth of its youngest territory.

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Nunavut Day Facts & Quotes

Nunavut, which means Our Land in Inuktitut, is the largest Canadian territory and makes up one fifth of the Canada's land mass.

In 2014, 81% of Nunavut residents identified themselves as Inuits.

Nunavut's court system is unique in that it is a single-level trial court. This means that all judges have the ability to head any type of case. All other Canadian provinces and territories have a three-level system.

With other countries becoming more interested in the Arctic and its rich resource potential, and with new trade routes opening up, we must continue to exercise our sovereignty while strengthening the safety and security of Canadians living in our High Arctic. - Former Prime Minister Stephen Harper

We made it clear that when the land claims agreement was ready to be signed, the creation of Nunavut would have to be brought in, if it was ready to be part of the land claims agreement. - John Amagoalik, Prominent Inuit Politician

Nunavut Day Top Events and Things to Do

Try a traditional Inuit food such as barbecued muskox burgers at a local festival or Inuit restaurant in your city.

Visit one of Nunavut's spectacular parks. Summer is the best time to visit Nunavut. Temperatures are above freezing and the summer solstice lends nearly 24 hours of daylight for tourist activities.

Enjoy a local festival in large Canadian cities where Nunavut natives put on traditional games and dances for those interested in sharing their culture.

Run the Northwest Passage Marathon on Somerset Island in Nunavut. This is North America's northernmost half marathon, marathon and ultra marathon.

The Inuit have many legends and tales in which the moon and the stars take central roles. Spare a moment to appreciate the sky, the stars, the moon and perhaps even the Northern Lights on this day.